Missouri Public Service Commission releases final report on explosion at JJ's

41 Action News Staff

10:30 AM, Feb 6, 2014

5:14 PM, Feb 7, 2014

Almost a year after the deadly explosion at JJ’s, the final report on what happened is out.

KSHB

Almost one year after the deadly explosion at JJ’s, the agency overseeing utility safety issued its report, and it’s highly critical of MGE.

KSHB

The Missouri Public Service Commission issued a report Thursday highly critical of how Missouri Gas Energy handled events leading up to the explosion at JJ’s Restaurant.

KSHB

Missouri Gas Energy didn’t follow rules meant to protect people and property, according to findings from the Missouri Public Service Commission.

KSHB

The MPSC has released its final report detailing its investigation into the explosion at JJ’s Restaurant.

KSHB

The MPSC has released its final report detailing its investigation into the explosion at JJ’s Restaurant.

KSHB

This photo from the Missouri Public Service Commission's final report on the Feb. 19, 2013, explosion at JJ's Restaurant shows the damaged gas main that led to the gas leak.

Missouri Public Service Commission

APRIL 5, 2013 - Employees dig through the rubble where JJ's Restaurant once stood. The longtime staple on the Country Club Plaza was destroyed by a gas explosion and fire on Feb. 19, 2013.

Sarah Hollenbeck KSHB-TV

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Missouri Gas & Energy violated state regulations on the day of the fatal JJ's Restaurant explosion, according to the Missouri Public Service Commission's latest report.

The final report, released Thursday morning, states MGE violated the commission's rules when it failed to conduct an effective leak investigation and failed to urgently evacuate people from the area before the Feb. 19, 2013, explosion.

The report also stated the gas main damage could've been avoided had more markings of an underground line been present. Only two of the three facilities at the location were marked, according to the report.

The MPSC report does not make clear how the gas ignited, listing multiple ignition possibilities such as: electrical devices, pilot lights, telephones and cell phones, as well as static electricity.

The report also states MGE did not urgently provide information to JJ's employees for them to mitigate those possible ignition sources, something MGE disputes.

The MPSC also suggested police and firefighters should have stayed on the scene. MGE told investigators they didn't have contact with the fire department at the scene, a claim KCFD has disputed multiple times, saying they were told by MGE the situation was under control, allowing them to leave before the explosion.

Kansas City Fire Department Chief Paul Berardi told 41 Action News on Friday, "I read the report as well and I don't know what MGE...what they are relying on."

"I do know that our message has been consistent from day one," Berardi added.